Author: Rachel Clare Publisher: Bateman Books

Aotearoa’s native owl is a watchful guardian of the night. Make your own ruru out of a pinecone and seed pods. If you can’t find eucalyptus seed pods for the eyes, go foraging for another type of round seed pod or use small stones.

Read an extract from Play Wild

Released April 2024

Author: Rachel Haydon Illustrator: Pippa Keel Publisher: Te Papa Press

Looking for different kinds of shells is heaps of fun for kids. In Aotearoa New Zealand we have a lot of creatures that live in shells at our beaches and estuaries.

Read an extract from The Beach Activity Book.

Released January 2024

Author: Vanessa Hatley-Owen

Vanessa Hatley-Owen says the idea for her latest children’s book The Littlest Lifeguard came about while she was on a family holiday at the beach.

January 2024 release

Authors: Kitty Brown and Kirsten Parkinson

School’s out for summer! Here’s an activity to entertain children and help them with their reo. Download, print and colour this gorgeous page from Reo Pēpi Bilingual Colouring Book.

October 2023 release

Authors: Anna Coddington, Joy Cowley, Lynley Dodd, Sarina Dickson, Deano Yipadee.

It’s here all over again. Faster than Santa on a surfboard the silly season has arrived and so too have a few new festive, fun, and funny children’s picture books by authors from Aotearoa.

Author/illustrator: Ned Barraud with Andrew Stewart. Reviewer Alex Eagles.

‘For almost 50 years, ‘the Jaws effect’ has resulted in what psychologists have termed galeophobia — an irrational fear of sharks. Even though statistics show driving to the beach is far more likely to result in injury…’ Alex Eagles reviews this celebration of mangō and whai for young New Zealanders and joins the authors in encouraging others to admire these amazing animals.

October 2023 release

Authors: Various. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Non-fiction pictures books to let the imaginations of young readers take flight.

June - October 2023 releases

Authors: Various. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Pictures books to let the imaginations of young readers take flight.

August - October 2023 releases

Author: Karen McMillan. Publisher: Duckling Publishing.

Extract: ‘From the bestselling Elastic Island Adventures series comes a fun baking book for children, with recipes by Mrs Quokka and her son Jase the Quokka. By popular demand, Mrs Quokka also shares some of her quirky quokka logic – fun sayings that will bring a smile due to being so illogical.’

September 2023 release

Rebecca Fawkner is a teacher and has worked at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth for 20 years. She has just compiled and written Ziggle! The Len Lye Art Activity Book. One of the most unique art activity books for Kiwi kids – and beyond - it is packed with ideas inspired by acclaimed New Zealand artist Len Lye.

2023 is proving to be author, illustrator and designer Mat Tait’s year. His advice for emerging writers? ‘The best advice I can give is just mahia te mahi, keep working on your craft even when you're not necessarily feeling inspired, because the inspiration comes through doing the work. If you wait for that feeling, you might be waiting for a long time.’

Goodman Fielder, Little Moa.

Karawhiua tēnei tohutao paniwiti porotaka — me te pani patahuka hoki nō tā Edmonds Taku Puka Tohutao Tuatahi.

Whip up this delicious melting moments recipe (he paniwiti porotaka) – and icing too (he pani patahuka) from Edmonds Taku Puka Tohutao Tuatahi.

Author: Karen McMillan. Publisher: Duckling Publishing.

The Kete Questionnaire: Karen McMillan on writing Elastic Island Adventures: Rarotonga with support from the Pacific Resort in Rarotonga.

July 2023 release

Authors: Various. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Five picture books to make young ones laugh: Nanas With No Manners, Dreams of a Moa, There Was a Farmer Who Swallowed A Fly, Tulip and Sprout, You Don't Know How Lucky You Are/ Me i Mōhio Koe ki tō Waimarietanga!

May - July 2023 releases

Authors: Various. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Five picture books to help young ones make sense of big stuff: Pearl in a Whirl, Tōku Whānau Rerehua My Beautiful Family, Jungle Jazz, Raraku ki to hari, kei te pai Strum a Tune when you're happy, kei te pai and Ah Choo!

May - July 2023 releases

Authors: Various. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

True life tales and humorous picture books will keep young and old engaged.

February, March & April 2023 releases